Opening and Current Runs

BOMBAY DREAMS
Opening. Technicolor costumes and big-ass dance numbers. The production is "based on an idea by" Shekhar Kapur and Andrew Lloyd Webber (other folks did the writing and directing). 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave, 292-2787. $20-$73. Tues, Wed, 7:30 pm.

THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY
Opening. An adaptation of Thornton Wilder's 1927 novel about five people in colonial Peru who die when a rope bridge breaks. Featuring Bunraku-type puppets and good local actors. All Thursdays are by donation. Strawberry Theatre Workshop at Richard Hugo House, 1634 11th Ave, 322-7030. $20. Fri, Sat, 7:30 pm and Sun, 2 pm. Through Oct 8.

DINNER THEATER
Opening. Pretend it's the year 2537 and, thanks to the wonders of science, nobody has to eat any more. Now pretend you're at a 26th-century art history lecture about food, from 6 million BCE until 2500, featuring tastings and wine. That's Dinner Theater. Created by Matthew Richter and 18 chefs. On the Boards, 100 W Roy St, 217-9888. $60. Sat, Sun, 7 pm. Through Sept 24.

(JUST LIKE) STARTING OVER
Opening. See preview this issue. Bathhouse Theater, 7312 W Green Lake Dr N, 524-1300. $14-$24. Thurs-Sat, 7:30 pm and Sun, 2 pm. Through Sept 17.

LOUIS SLOTIN SONATA
Opening. Based on the true story of a Manhattan Project scientist who was accidentally exposed to a massive dose of radiation while holding a plutonium bomb core named Rufus. By Paul Mullin, Directed by John Langs. Empty Space Theatre, 901 12th Ave, 547-7500. $20-$30. Fri, Sat, 8 pm, Mon, Tues, 7:30 pm, Wed, 7:30 pm. Through Oct 7.

THE MAIDEN'S PRAYER
Opening. A comedy about a man named Taylor, the "perfect mate" for his childhood friend Paul, his other friend Libby, and Libby's sister Cynthia. By Nicky Silver. Northwest Actors Studio, 1100 E Pike St, 324-6328. $10-$12. Fri, Sat, 8 pm. Through Sept 23.

MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS
Opening. Set in Hollywood, 1939, as producer David O. Selznick, writer Ben Hecht, and director Victor Fleming try to save a plucky little movie called Gone with the Wind. (Spoiler alert: They succeed.) Intiman Theatre, 201 Mercer St, 269-1900. $27-$46. Sat, 8 pm, Sun, 7:30 pm and Tues-Thurs, 7:30 pm. Through Oct 7.

recommended THE MUSEUM PLAY
See Stranger Suggests, page 25. Washington Ensemble Theatre, 608 19th Ave E, 800-838-3006. $10-$15. Thurs-Mon, 8 pm. Through Sept 25.

recommended A NUMBER
Caryl Churchill's 2002 play about a father, his sons, and cloning. Directed by John Kazanjian of New City Theater. ACT Theatre, 700 Union St, 292-7676. $10-$54. Fri, Sat, 8 pm, Sun, 7:30 pm, Tues-Thurs, 7:30 pm and Sat, Sun, 2 pm. Through Oct 1.

REWIND 1987
"Rewind 1987 is an interactive theater 'experience' that reproduces a 1987 homecoming dance, with the jock, the nerdy girl, the pack of snotty cheerleaders, and the rest of the gang. (Long Duk Dong was conspicuously absent.)" (Brendan Kiley) Last Supper Club, 124 S Washington St, 748-9975. $29-$39. Sat, 7:30 pm. Through Sept 30.

recommended SKETCHFEST SEATTLE 2006
Featuring locals like the Cody Rivers Show and foreigners from New York (Elephant Larry, Becky and Noelle), Chicago (kevINda), and Los Angeles (Karla, Dry Clean Only). See www.sketchfest.org for complete schedule. Erickson Theater Off Broadway, 1524 Harvard Ave, 587-5400. $15. Thurs-Sat, 8 pm and Fri, Sat, 10 pm. Through Sept 16.

TELL ME ON A SUNDAY
Opening. A gayed-up version of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical about the loves and life of a young Brit in New York. Gaydar Productions at Thumper's, 1500 E Madison St, 328-3800. $13.50. Thurs, 8:30 pm and Sun, 7:30 pm. Through Oct 8.

Dance

TANIA ISAAC & CYNTHIA OLIVER
A split dance bill with Philadelphia-based Tania Isaac and University of Illinois-based Cynthia Oliver. Both lived in the Caribbean and both say the region influences their work. Broadway Performance Hall, 1625 Broadway, 325-3113. $12-$15. Fri, Sat, 8 pm. Through Sept 9.

Cabaret

BURLESQUE BEHIND THE PINK DOOR
Ongoing. Novelty acts, puppets, crooners, and old-fashioned burlesque. With Paula the Swedish Housewife. Pink Door, 1919 Post Alley, 443-3241. $10. Sat, 10:30 pm.

COLUMBIA CITY CABARET
Ongoing. A "saucy cabaret," hosted by Tamara the Trapeze Lady. Columbia City Theatre, 4916 Rainier Ave S, 723-0088. $15. Fri, 9 pm.

Improv & Comedy

COMEDYNIGHT
This week: Brian Moote. The last ComedyNight before the Mirabeau Room shuts down. Mirabeau Room, 529 Queen Anne Ave N, 217-2800. $5. Wed, 9 pm.

HOGWASH: AN IMPROVISED TALL TALE FOR SMALL CHILDREN
Opening. A full band and a bunch of actors building a story off the kids' suggestions. Jerk Alert Productions at Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $10. Sat, 2 pm. Through Oct 28.

JET CITY IMPROV
Opening. Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $8-$10. Fri, Sat, 10:30 pm and Sat, 8 pm.

SHAWN WAYANS
Mr. Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood himself! Giggles Comedy Club, 5220 Roosevelt Way NE, 526-5653. $30. Fri, Sat, 8 & 10:30 pm. Through Sept 9.

STANDUP COMEDY THROWDOWN
Unnamed local comics and an unnamed music act. Rendezvous, 2320 Second Ave, 441-5823. $7. Tues, Sept 12, 8 pm.

THEATRESPORTS
Ongoing. Market Theater, 1428 Post Alley, 587-2414. $8-$12. Fri, Sat, 10:30 pm and Sun, 7 pm.

Late Night

CUPCAKE
Performers Ethan Newberry and Justin Sund make your wildest dreams come true through the magic of improv. No one under 17 admitted. Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $8. Sat, 12:30 am. Through Nov 17.

THE STAY UP LATE SHOW
Guests Rebecca Denk (from Babeland), Jojo Stiletto (from the burlesque scene), and a Pants-Off Dance-Off. With host Rebecca M. Davis. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0569. $12. Sat, Sept 9, 10 pm.

SUAVE
A new show of by Douglas S. Willott and Ian Schempp that "will educate audiences on the sextracurricular arts." No one under 17 admitted. Historic University Theater, 5510 University Way NE, 352-8291. $8. Sun, 12:30 am. Through Nov 17.

TRUE NORTH
Experimental theater with polar bears, blood, and Cole Porter. High Kindergarten Performance Group at Open Circle Theater, 429 Boren Ave N, 382-4250. $6. Fri, Sat, 11 pm. Through Sept 9.

Special Events

MOCKUMENTARY HYPE PARTY
A fundraiser and party for mockumentary, by dance company locust, opening at On the Boards in October. Featuring performances by bands (Beep Rock, Town Crier, and White Gold) and locust. Filming of a zombie-dance-party segment begins at midnight. Lo_fi Performance Gallery, 429 Eastlake Ave E. $9. Fri, Sept 8, 8 pm.

WONDERLAND
One weekend only. A workshop of a cirqued-up version of Alice in Wonderland, featuring PURE Cirkus, the people who have made their name by hanging from hooks in their skin. Capitol Hill Arts Center, 1621 12th Ave, 388-0569. $15-$20. Sat, Sun, 8 pm. Through Sept 10.